Modeling is one of the coolest jobs anyone can ever have.
It’s work, know that from this moment now on. Believe me now, tomorrow or yesterday: it’s going to take a lot of work on your part, and you’re going to have to really bust your butt if you want to succeed.
As a new model though, there are some important tasks you should take on first, before you ever start your self-marketing effort:
Job #1a is to decide what kind of modeling you want to do. Do you want to do swimsuits? Fashion? Glamor? Fetish modeling? Nude? All of the above? You’ll need to know so that you can focus your efforts in the right places.
Job #1b is to decide what kind of modeling you DO NOT want to do. You are going to be asked quite often if you will do nude modeling, for example. If you don’t want to do that, if you feel uncomfortable, don’t. It’s your body, and it’s your choice. No one has to the right to make you do it, and if you don’t want to, don’t. Simple as that.
Nude Photos: It’s Your Call.
You’re going to be asked pretty quickly after you post your first availability notice, probably even if you specify that you’re not interested in being photographed au naturel. Whether or not you do that kind of work is your decision and not a photographer or an agents. It’s your body!
One thing that you need to remember is that when you model for money, once you sign the model release and the photographer takes the photo, the image is not owned by you (except with trade-for-photo gigs) and you will have next to ZERO control over the picture.
That’s something that you should keep in mind while you consider doing nude modeling. Also keep that as well if you decide that yes, you will do nude work. There are a lot of degrees and flavors of nude and erotic work, and you’ll need to decide just how far you’re willing to go. Again, it’s your body and it’s your decision.
One other thing to keep in mind is that the Internet NEVER Forgets. Ever.
Simply put, your photos from the near future might have a shelf life that can last 50-100 years…or longer. Seeing work that old is rare, of course, but it does happen more than you think. Even this has a photo made in the early 1990′s — about 20 years ago. That’s because it’s owned by us, and fits a need. We can sell it to whomever we like since we still have the original model release contract on file. If the model’s changed her mind, that’s too bad, because the contract she signed said in perpetuity. That’s forever.
I have a typical model release, and if you read it carefully, that’s what it says: you are exchanging your services for compensation and in return you perpetually (as in forever) grant me and my successors (legal ese for whoever I sell the shots to) to use them as they like. That means when we age and pass away our heirs will own the work you see here. They can sell it on the open market, if they so desire and find a suitable buyer. From there, who knows where it could end up.
We tell you these things not to try scare you, instead, we’re just recommending that you think this one through and make the decision that works best for you.
One thing, however, if you say you aren’t available for nude work, no one at XOXOXO will ask you to change your mind, because we think it is unethical to do that.
If you do nudes will you work with another model? If so, boy or girl? Both? Neither?
Then what you will actually do posing nude? It’s never a bad idea to use the magazine-rating system to put a label to it:
- Playboy , topless with very little of the private parts show;
- Penthouse, or open-legged so the world can see what you have;
- Hustler, which is full insertion of fingers, toys and what not.
- Finally, Adult: that’s what you think, pure performance and insertions, other people, etc. Nothing is left to the imagination.
That’s a lot to decide. Think it through carefully. And
Now that you’ve done that, on to Job #2: you need a portfolio.
Whatever you decided your area of focus will be needs to be in it. It should also have:
- a head shot, straight on.
- a profile shot, straight across
- A waist-up shot
- A full length pose
- If you are going to do nudes, make shots of #3, #4 in the nude.
Then you also want to put some professional looking and flattering pictures of yourself to make your clients want to hire you and not hire anyone else.
The best thing to do for those pictures is to be classy and professional looking. Cutting your ex-boyfriend out of your prom picture and scanning in to your PC doesn’t count. I’ve seen that, and it shows me a lack of seriousness that makes me wonder that if I brought that young model into the studio, would she show up on time? And would she take it seriously?
All in all, around 8-12 pictures is a great start. Make sure that each one is a strong, flattering picture of you.
I strongly suggest using a professional photographer to make them, offer then your time in exchange for theirs, and a cd of all the pictures made. Even established shooters use TFCD (time for CD) models to find new talent, to experiment a little to develop a new style or something like it. That said, find a cool photog and get the pics maid. And when I say pro, I mean a working pro with a proven track record of solid work. A new photographer and a new model, well that’s a recipe for failure.
If you don’t have a pro readily available for TFCP, go to Google.com and ask it this question: who are the model portfolio photographers in [my state]? My state is the state you live in, of course. Google will then give you a list of professionals who are nearby that can help you produce you portfolio.
Have you ever heard the phrase: you only get one chance to make a first impression? It’s true. And when it comes to models, art directors, photographers and the like are very much first-impression people. To them, looking though portfolios is like looking through a catalog. They will look over different ports until someone catches their eye and then they will look even closer to see if they are truly interested. From that they will get an impression of you, and you’ll want that impression to be the best one you can possible convey.
Now Take It To Work
Got all that done? Now it’s time to let the world know you’re ready to go to work.
There’s a truth you are going to learn very quickly, modeling is more than being beautiful for a camera, and that for every one hour you spend working in front of a camera, you are going to have to put somewhere between 5-10 hours doing other things to make it happen. Don’t believe me?
I have been at this since 2004. The only reason I am successful is it is a labor of love. The reality is, I have my fingers in a lot of pies as well. I do not just shoot for other people. I produce and direct videos for my own company. I also, pro domme and I go on webcam. I do a lot.
When I am not editing or shooting, I am working on my body. I am always working out and going to a tanning bed, to make sure I look my best. It is overall a ton of work to be a model.
–Samantha Grace, a well known and successful model.
Samantha’s experience is typical of a successful independent model. What she doesn’t mention specifically is that there’s one thing she is always working on, and probably more than even she realizes.
What is that work you might ask? In one word it’s this: marketing.
Samantha and every other model has to market themselves to stay alive in the marketplace. Every model does. You will too, and the more effective you are at it, the more you jobs you’ll get.
There is a lot of competition out there, especially in the lower tiers of the modeling ladder, which is where nearly everyone starts. The competition is good, too, they have looks, talent and desire, and the Internet has made it easier to find good information about how to progress from the ground level up. That really should tell any aspiring model something very important: market your skills and accomplishments as often as you can. People don’t hire what they can’t see, so gaining maximum visibility is the key.
You will need to relentlessly market your skills, you talent, YOU…if you want work.
That’s because if you get right down to it, you are going to be a self-employed merchant who is running a store. Your product is you, of course.
After all of that, 0nly a very small percentage of professional models working today completely make their living at it. The rest work in other jobs, some part time, with others working full-time and using their modeling work as a way to supplement their income. No where they fall on the talent spectrum, they all work hard not only on the job they got but also their next job and the one after that. It’s an endless chase, and as Samantha says above, you’ll also have to take care of yourself, eat right and get exercise. Since the product you’re selling is you, think of it as maintaining your inventory.
Now it’s time to go and register.
These four sites are the biggest modeling sites in the US:
- http://www.onemodelplace.com
- http://www.modelmayhem.com
- http://www.modelbrigade.com
- http://www.modelinsider.com
Use other girl’s ads as a guide to help you write one that’s got enough detail but is also short enough to read in five minutes or less. Write yours in your own words, of course.
Put your best picture in for your profile shot, the first one that is seen, and make it one that screams “hey! look at me!”
Then go and read the forums, get in touch with other models in your area, and find out who’s good to work for and who you should avoid.